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grammar nazi

Grammar is an obviously important element of writing—not just journalistic, but also creative, academic, etc—because it helps present the ideas clearly through the words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, and the entire article or broadcast itself. In order to be able to convey news properly, one must learn the accurate grammar of the primary and secondary language of the country or state or region or city efficiently.

As indirectly stated in the last sentence of the first paragraph, language has a key role in grammar. One might use the correct grammar, but not the fitting language he or she is broadcasting to that will have the people understand the news clearly. For example, writing articles or broadcasting news in Chinese in a country like, let’s just say, Denmark, would not be suitable for the society that should receive and accept the news being given to them. One might use the correct Chinese characters and—surprise!—grammar, and the viewers/listeners/readers wouldn’t be able to understand it.

One reason regarding the importance of grammar in journalism is credibility. Press materials with grammatical errors indicate ignorance or negligence on the part of the writer/broadcaster, which may cause readers/viewers/listeners alike to question the accuracy and truthfulness of the content of the article or piece of news. Similarly, professionalism is also a huge factor in proper journalism. Similarly, materials written in a slapdash fashion can create negative impressions on readers/viewers/listeners, co-workers and corporate higher-ups. A slight mistake in the grammar area of one’s article can lead to demotion and even, perhaps, the boot. To go along with this is the respect from one’s peers. Underpaid and overworked editors may resent receiving a document with nothing on it but errors that would earn them extra time in the office without extra pay. Another obvious reason is for clarity. Grammar not only includes the proper string of words to convey an idea, but it also requires proper punctuation. Irresponsible use of grammar—again, this include punctuation—can result in ambiguities and misunderstandings. Once one’s colleagues and viewers, listeners, and readers have found him/her credible, professional, respectable, and clear regarding him/her articles and pieces, this will be convenient not only for them, but specially to the writer. Imagine when the journalist has earned the respect of these people and himself/herself, these people will wait for what the journalist is going to write about next because they understand him/her more clearly, primarily because his/her ideas are properly conveyed to the public via his/her grammar. Lastly, posterity would be the knockout punch. Press materials distributed, via print, and/or the internet, across the globe will live on forever along with any mistakes they may contain.

One does not simply write and say he/she is a journalist. Being a journalist requires responsibility in conveying the truth, delivering the proper ideas and having them be understandable to common people involves using the right words—and the right punctuations—and proper word management via the use of correct grammar.